Won an Oscar costume design in 1992 for “Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula,’
Designed the costume for Jennifer Lopez in “The Cell.” When Jennifer Lopez complained about how the headpiece was too uncomfortable and asked Eiko if she could alter it, Eiko said, “no, you’re supposed to be tortured in the movie.”
Worked with Issey Miyake to produce patterns and ads for the Japanese department store PARCO
Also dressed artists for the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics
Successful, influential, assertive. Eiko Ishioka was LIKE THAT 😎
In my opinion, costume designers are always shrouded by a sense of mystery, they make gorgeous clothes, practical or impractical ones, but it seems like no one tries to understand them. Maybe because they are not retail products? Who knows? One thing I do know is that Eiko Ishioka is one of the rare ones that can pierce through that veil and establish herself as a force to be reckoned with.
Eiko Ishioka is not conservative with her designs; she doesn’t allow the audience’s imagination to fill in the gaps as many designers do. Ishioka understands what the character needs, perhaps elements of the character that aren’t efficiently shown through dialogues and the scripts, will then be presented on garments created by her, with intention.
The unfathomable but ultra-seductive, the supernatural promise of certain objects and textures, the dreamy juxtaposition of Eastern and Western influences, and unsettling feelings.
- Charlie Fox
A multimedia artist, Ishioka didn’t let fashion define nor confine her creativity. Her artistic vision went above and beyond. Represented best in this Ad with PARCO, a promotional effort for the department store where Eiko was the director and it featured Faye Dunaway eating a boiled egg rather… eerily.
Eiko’s explanation?
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to RyanYipFashion to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.